Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to say a few words as well about some of the Members from Nunavut that are still with us. I wanted to point out something I learned when I was elected in 1987 and the Member from Lake Harbour as it was called at the time was Mr. Arlooktoo, Sr. He was speaking in Inuktitut, I leaned over to Mr. Wray and asked him what the Member was asking about. Mr. Wray leaned over and he said Mr. Arlooktoo, Sr. is asking about a boulder, a huge boulder that was at the end of the runway at Lake Harbour. He said there is no way he is going to relent unless we do something about it. I remember that. I was just checking with Mr. Arlooktoo, Jr. about that issue and it was a fact, Mr. Arlooktoo, Sr. decided to focus on that issue until there was some resolution to it. Mr. Arlooktoo, Jr. just reminded me that in fact we had to dynamite that boulder in order to bring satisfaction to Mr. Arlooktoo, Sr. who focused on something that was an everyday concern for his constituents as well as himself. I raised that because one of the things that I came to this Legislature with is of course profound passion and interest in political and constitutional issues as well as aboriginal issues. I was always struck with the different approach that the Inuit took to resolving issues. I wanted to applaud that today. Mr. Speaker, I would ask for unanimous consent to finish my statement.
Member's Statement 66-13(7): Tribute To Nunavut Colleagues
In the Legislative Assembly on March 25th, 1999. See this topic in context.
Member's Statement 66-13(7): Tribute To Nunavut Colleagues
Item 3: Members' Statements
March 24th, 1999
Page 128
Member's Statement 66-13(7): Tribute To Nunavut Colleagues
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 128
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Member for Sahtu seeks unanimous consent to conclude the statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Kakfwi, you have unanimous consent.
Member's Statement 66-13(7): Tribute To Nunavut Colleagues
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 128
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you. I just wanted to take time to applaud and recognize the incredible leadership that the Inuit have shown, not only to their own constituents, but to all aboriginal people across this country and across the world for that matter. They have demonstrated an incredible level of leadership that I think we should all recognize over the next few days. They demonstrated a vision and a determination and purpose that I do not know that we will ever see demonstrated again at that scale in this country for some time. I would like to applaud the way in which they managed their political and constitutional issues. In 1981, the Inuit leaders asked the Dene and Metis to vote in support of the concept of division and we did that.
Since 1981, they have been working with a single purpose of resolving all outstanding issues in the area of the land claims.
Since 1981, they settled their claim, resolved a boundary, the single longest boundary in the world I believe, through political agreement. They have used their time since 1981 to push their agenda for a Nunavut government through to federal legislation which will be enacted, and we will see the creation of a Nunavut government next week on April 1st. I want to recognize again the incredible leadership that the Inuit have shown since 1981 and getting their agenda done. Clearly articulating what it is they wanted to do and being very result oriented and practical about what it is they wanted to do, what it was they needed in being able to achieve it. They have managed to settle a single land claim for their entire territory. They have been able to achieve a government for themselves which they will use for the betterment of their people for some years to come. People like Mr. Amagoalik, Mr. Kusugak, Mr. Eetoolook, some of the leaders that I think, elected Members of the Nunavut Legislature will need to build a strong working relationship. That again is going to be the key to seeing a good strong future for the people of Nunavut. Thank you very much. Mahsi.
--Applause
Member's Statement 66-13(7): Tribute To Nunavut Colleagues
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Members' statements. Mr. Roland.